Emirates, Etihad airlines to resume Peshawar flights

PESHAWAR: Two Gulf-based foreign airlines will resume operations to and from Peshawar after suspending their services following an attack on Pakistan International Airlines’ flight 756 leaving a passenger dead and others injured during a landing in June, aviation sources said on Wednesday.“Etihad Airways and Emirates International will resume operations from Bacha Khan Airport in Peshawar today (Thursday),” Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) terminal manager Syed Latiful Haq at Peshawar Airport told media.Etihad Airways would restart its operations from August 1 whereas the first flight of Emirates International Airlines will arrive in Peshawar at 7am today (Thursday), added Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesman Abid Qaim Khani. He said that security on Bacha Khan airport has been beefed up and both airlines agreed to again start flights for residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Abid said that CAA director general is also holding discussions with the management of Saudi Airlines for restoring its flight from Peshawer.The airlines suspended operations after the PIA flight from Saudi Arabia was attacked on June 25 leaving a woman dead and two crewmembers injured.Qatar Airways is the first Gulf-based carrier to resume operations to and from Peshawar. Western airlines do not operate to and from Peshawar and all foreign airlines operating in Peshawar and Gulf-based areas are where Pakistani nationals work.Etihad, Gulf, Saudi Airlines, Emirates, Qatar and Air Arabia have weekly flights operating in Peshawar before the attack that carry workers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the Middle East and other destinations.Air Arabia had not suspended its operations from Peshawar following the July 25 incident whereas the remaining five had suspended operations temporarily.